As Pope Francis, he brings to the papacy a brilliant philosophical and, in particular, theological mind that has embraced a vision of broad spiritual and ecclesiastical horizons: personal holiness, missionary outreach, combined with constant concern for unity, and necessary integration of spirituality and institutional ministry.

His episcopal motto, Miserando atque eligendo (With Mercy and Choosing), has strengthened and guided him in his tireless and uncompromising efforts aimed at defending and promoting the faith and its morals against modern errors in an age in which the Church has suffered unprecedented persecution and martyrdom.

The new pope has also worked to encourage studies aimed at increasing knowledge of the faith, so that the new problems arising from the progress of science and civilisation can be answered in the light of the word of God. The aim for which he has always striven was to serve the truth, seek to know it ever more thoroughly and make it ever more widely known. May the Lord lavish His choicest heavenly reward upon him.